LATEST HOMILY
SOLEMNITY of CHRIST the KING
November 30, 2024 

Focus:  Jesus Christ is the Kingdom of God dwelling in us.

Function:  Live out the Kingdom of God in our souls by heeding to acts of charity towards God and neighbor.

A.My kingdom is not of this world.

• “My kingdom is not of this world.”  When we hear these famous words from Jesus responding to the Pontius Pilot’s inquiry,
• One may wonder what Jesus means by this.
• “My kingdom is not of this world.”  
• Could He be referring to the reality that his kingdom is the heavenly realms where the Father and all the celestial beings dwell, I believe He is; OR
• Could the Lord be referring to the reality that His Kingdom is that which dwells in the hearts of those who listen to His words, receive them and act on them?
• I most certainly believe that this is what Jesus was referring to when he spoke to Pilot.
• The kingdom of God, or the Realms of Glory, are not of this physical world.
• Even more so the reality of the kingdom of God is not established in the way we may believe it to be.
• We may believe the Kingdom is only a spiritual manifestation of itself. But from what we see in Jesus’ ministry and throughout His life, the Kingdom of God flows from within Christ and into those whom He encounters. 
• But Pilot views the Kingdom of God with suspicion. Due to his secular blindness. 
• He inquires Jesus with such aggression and interest, because he sees Jesus as a political threat to Ceasar.
• He is not sure if this Jesus of Nazareth is a complete lunatic and a rebel or if He actually is who He says He is! 
• But the problem with the Roman governor is that he sees Jesus’ trial as another Jewish Zealot!  As one who is trying to over throw the empire.  If only Pilot’s eye could be opened.  If only he listened to the words of warning from his wife!
• But it was ordained to be so as Jesus rightfully said himself “For this I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth.”

B.Kingship and Kingdom of God – Works In and Through Our Hearts.

• And what is that truth?  It is Jesus of course.
• The kingdom of God.  The kingship of Christ all find their source in the one who claims kingship.
• The only way for that kingship to be exercised, the only way for the kingdom of God to be established is through the love of Jesus Himself and revealed through His Death. 
• His power and authority do not receive approval by placing rules over his subjects nor being a tyrant towards them.
• His kingship finds approval by being a worthy sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.
• His Kingship finds approval by the reality of Christ living for us, His brothers and sisters, until the day He calls us from this world.
• He is not a king who is served by His subjects.
• He is a king who serves His own and voluntarily subjects Himself to us so that we may reign with Him.
• And so, what is the mantra of God’s Holy Kingdom?
• To love one another as He has loved us.  To love and pray for those who persecute us.  
• If we pray for those who pray for us and only love those who love us, where is salvation in that?  Where is the kingdom of God in that?
• The kingdom of God is not just the Realms of Glory with the Blessed Mother and all the angels.  The kingdom of God is most importantly Christ Jesus, dwelling in us. Healing us and working in and through us!  
• It is not only a place; it is a vibrant reality working within and through the human soul. 
• The Kingdom of God is present when we try to work on our marriages and families.
• The Kingdom of God is present when we try to bring healing to those whom we may have hurt and accepting forgiveness for those who may have hurt us. 
• The Kingdom of God is present when we reach out the olive branch to people whom we struggle with.
• The kingdom of God is present when we go to confession and bring our sins before the Lord.
• The Kingdom of God is present when we hear the words of Christ, receive them and act on them.
• This is the true reality of God’s kingdom and this is how we are all called to live it out.
• When Jesus speaks about Love, Truth, Charity and Goodness, he speaks about himself.  These words are not just nouns, we display through charitable acts.
• They are Jesus Himself.  He is the incarnate manifestation of all thing good and holy.  And to display these acts of goodness is to display Him.
• To serve the King of kings and Lord of lords is to allow Him to serve in and through us.
• This is why ole’ Pontius Pilot simply could not grasp the truth though it stared him dead in the face with blows and scourges.
• Jesus’ kingship, His Kingdom, is not of this world.
• And why?
• Because its location is not a physical one.
• It is a spiritual one and it dwells deep within us.
• And the subjects of the kingdom are no subjects, they are sons and daughters of the King, who are served by God Himself.
• Some may say Kingship and Kingdoms should not be established in this way.  It is madness!
• Let it be madness.  Because it is the madness of such a kingdom that allows all of us to reign and live forever.

 AMEN.